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The Couple That Heals Together

You’d be hard-pressed to find two more accomplished people in medicine and nutrition than the Rosens. Dr. Steve Rosen is the Genevieve Teuton professor of medicine and director of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University. He’s also the principal investigator for the Northwestern University Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence, and oversees federally funded training grants for medical and pediatric oncology fellows, as well as training opportunities for minority college students pursuing careers in science and medicine. And that’s when he’s not treating 30 to 40 patients a week.

An oncologist for 30 years, Steve is widely regarded as number one in his field in Chicago. “The greatest reward is knowing you’ve made an impact on someone’s life and helped them through a challenging time,” he says.

His wife, Candice, is equally impressive. A registered nurse with a master’s degree in social work, a certification in health counseling, and founder/executive director of the Pancreatic Nutritional Program, Candice released her second book, The Pancreatic Oath: The Measurable Approach to Improved Health and Weight Loss, about what she deems the forgotten gland—the pancreas—last August. “The essence of my book is the practice of self-health,” she emphasizes. “You are your primary caregiver, [and you need to] listen to three ‘voices’: the mirror, the scale, and the glucometer [which measures the concentration of glucose in the blood].”

Her years of research started when her daughter was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome. Candice was determined to find a cure that didn’t involve her daughter pumping medicine into her body that would only mask the symptoms. “Instead, I bought a glucometer and we started eliminating foods that raised her blood sugar level.” The symptoms eventually went away.

The Pancreatic Oath (available through pancreaticoath.com) tells how to find foods that stabilize blood glucose levels. “But it’s not a one-size-fits-all diet,” Candice notes. “It’s a data-driven program—you’ll get an answer from your body 90 minutes after eating. Monitoring glucose levels and avoiding foods that raise blood sugar is an effective preventative strategy for such illness, including heart disease, diabetes, and possibly cancer.”

So how has Candice’s research impacted Steve’s practice? “I think it’s a revolutionary [approach],” he says. “[Because of Candice’s work,] I am much more aggressive about encouraging my patients to diet and exercise. I’m a believer.”